Mindanao, Visayas, Mimaropa urged to prepare for Tropical Depression Basyang

MANILA, Philippines – The weather bureau advised portions of Mindanao, the Visayas, and Mimaropa to prepare for the effects of Tropical Depression Basyang, which continued to move over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning, February 4.

As of 10 am on Wednesday, Basyang was located 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving southwest at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h).

It still has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h, but it could intensify into a tropical storm on Wednesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) now expects Basyang to make its first landfall in eastern Mindanao on Thursday evening, February 5, or Friday morning, February 6.

After its initial landfall, Basyang could weaken back into a tropical depression, proceed to cross northeastern Mindanao, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas, then emerge over the Sulu Sea by Saturday morning, February 7.

“By Saturday afternoon or evening, Basyang will cross the northern portion of Palawan, then re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea,” added PAGASA.

It is likely to further weaken into a low pressure area by Sunday, February 8.

“Ang maagang paghahanda ay susi sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan. Ang pagiging alerto…at agarang pagsunod sa lokal na pamahalaan ay malaking tulong upang maiwasan ang panganib na maaaring makaapekto sa buhay at ari-arian,” PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said in a press conference shortly before noontime on Wednesday.

(Preparing early is key to the safety of our fellow Filipinos. Being alert and immediately following local government instructions will greatly help us avoid hazards that can affect lives and property.)

Although Basyang remains offshore, its trough or extension is already bringing scattered rain and thunderstorms to Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, the Davao Region, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sarangani on Wednesday.

PAGASA’s updated rainfall outlook for the next three days, released at 11 am on Wednesday, shows Basyang may trigger significant rainfall in more than 30 provinces. Floods and landslides are expected.

Wednesday noon, February 4, to Thursday noon, February 5

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental

Thursday noon, February 5, to Friday noon, February 6

• Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Southern Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental
• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental

Friday noon, February 6, to Saturday noon, February 7

• Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Aklan, Antique
• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental

The following areas in Mindanao are also under Signal No. 1 as of 11 am on Wednesday, which means they will see strong winds from the tropical cyclone:

• Surigao del Sur
• eastern part of Surigao del Norte (Claver, Gigaquit, Bacuag) including Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands

The highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Basyang is Signal No. 2.

PAGASA added that the surge of the northeast monsoon or amihan is bringing strong to gale-force gusts to the following areas:

Wednesday, February 4

• most of Luzon, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Caraga, Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte

Thursday, February 5

• most of Luzon, Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi

Friday, February 6

• Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern part of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Visayas, most of Mindanao

In the next 24 hours, dangerous conditions are also expected in seaboards affected by Basyang.

Up to very rough seas (travel is risky for all vessels)

• Seaboard of Surigao del Sur; eastern seaboards of Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands – waves up to 5 meters high
• Eastern seaboards of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and northern Davao Oriental – waves up to 4.5 meters high

Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)

• Northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes; eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon; northern seaboard of Northern Samar – waves up to 4 meters high
• Eastern seaboards of Isabela and northern Aurora; northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands; remaining seaboard of Davao Oriental – waves up to 3.5 meters high
• Seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte; remaining seaboards of Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands; eastern seaboard of southern Davao del Sur – waves up to 3 meters high

Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)

• Seaboard of Palawan; remaining seaboards of Aurora and Catanduanes; seaboard of northern Quezon – waves up to 2.5 meters high
• Seaboards of Antique and Southern Leyte; western seaboards of Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Aklan; eastern seaboard of southern Oriental Mindoro; southern seaboards of Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental; remaining seaboards of Quezon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga – waves up to 2 meters high

Basyang is the Philippines’ second tropical cyclone for 2026, after Tropical Storm Ada (Nokaen) in January. PAGASA previously estimated there would be up to one tropical cyclone in February. – Rappler.com